Source: United Nations (video statements)
Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.
Highlights:
Democratic Republic of the Congo/Rwanda
Democratic Republic of the Congo/Humanitarian
Sudan
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Lebanon
Ukraine
Southeast Asia Children
Food Price Index
International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development
International Days
Guest
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO/RWANDA
The Secretary-General welcomes the official signing yesterday in Washington of the Washington accords for peace and prosperity between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, under the facilitation of the United States of America. He commends President Trump for his efforts and congratulates Presidents Félix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame on this important milestone.
The Secretary-General underscores that these agreements represent a critical step towards restoring trust between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda and in advancing efforts for lasting peace in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Secretary-General also welcomes the significant progress made under both the Doha and the African Union-led processes.
He urges all parties to honour the commitments they have undertaken, including the respect of a permanent ceasefire, as called for by Security Council resolution 2773 (2025).
The Secretary-General reiterates that the United Nations, including the UN Peacekeeping mission in the DRC -MONUSCO, stands ready to continue supporting all efforts towards sustainable peace and stability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the wider region.
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO/HUMANITARIAN
On the humanitarian side, on the ground, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tell us that hostilities are continuing across South Kivu province, resulting in more civilian deaths, injuries and displacement.
Since 2 December, intense fighting, including the use of heavy weaponry and shelling, has been reported in several villages across the territories of Uvira, Walungu, Kabare, Fizi and Kalehe. These attacks have damaged critical infrastructure and homes.
Meanwhile, local health authorities in Walungu territory say that at least 13 civilians have been admitted to hospital. Intense fighting and roadblocks have rendered unfortunately evacuations impossible, and that is preventing an unknown number of injured civilians from reaching the medical facilities they need for treatment.
The violence has forced people to flee their homes, though the exact number cannot yet be determined. As of the end of October, there were 1.2 million people displaced in South Kivu.
Between January and September of this year, we and our partners have provided food, shelter and protection and health services to 1.5 million people in South Kivu.
We, yet again, reiterate our urgent call on all parties to the conflict to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and protect all civilians and civilian infrastructure. Humanitarian access must be granted to allow for life-saving assistance to reach those in need.
SUDAN
The UN Children’s Fund today noted that drone strikes in Ghadeer locality, Kalogi, in South Kordofan, have reportedly killed more than 10 children aged between 5 and 7 years old. That was inside a kindergarten. UNICEF stressed that the killing and maiming of children, and attacks on schools and hospitals are grave violations of children’s rights. These strikes come amid a sharp deterioration in security across the Kordofan States since early November, driving up widespread displacement and deepening humanitarian needs. UNICEF says that medical services are collapsing, essential supplies are nearly exhausted, and education is disrupted, leaving children without learning opportunities and in severe psychosocial distress.
The UN Children’s Fund continues to work with its partners to deliver lifesaving support in Sudan, but the scale of needs far exceeds the resources.
UNICEF calls on the international community to step up efforts to protect children and to provide urgent assistance.
And today, we join the World Food Programme in strongly condemning an attack on a WFP truck near the town of Hamra El Sheikh in North Darfur. That took place last night. That truck was part of a larger convoy of 39 trucks on route with vital food assistance to support hungry families who fled to Tawilah, in North Darfur, in search of food and safety.
WFP supports about 700,000 people in Tawilah with food support.
Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date=2025-12-05